Improvement in apparatus for measuring cloth



uited 5 THOMAS BISBING, OF BUGKSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSEL`AND M. V. SORBER, OF SAME PLACE.

Letters Patent No. 87 .134. dated February 23, 1869.l

To all whom 'it ma/y concern Be it known that I, THOMAS BIsBING, ofBuckstown, in the county of Somerset, and State of Penusylvania, haveinvented a new and improved Measuring- Instrument; and I do herebydeclare that the following isa full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part ofthis speciiication.

This invention relates to a new and improved device for measuring cloth,and 'giving lineal measurements generally; and

The invention consists in operatingavrevolving dialplate by a slidingpawl and ratchet-wheel, and in the general construction and arra gementof parts, as hereinafter described. 'f

Figure 1 is alongitudinal section of the instrument through the line':v-x of fig. 2.

Figure 2 represents the instrument as it appears when attached to thecounter', or to a table, ready for use.

Figure 3 is a detached view of. the dial-plate and ratchet;

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This instrument is designed to be used in retailstores, for measuringdry-goods, and in all places where it is applicable; and it operates sothat the length measured is denoted on thefrevolving plate by anindexfinger.

A is the slotted frame, to which the working-parts of the instrument areattached.

B is the revolving dial, or index-plate.

.O is a ratchet-wheel, attached to the dial-plate.

D is a slide within the slotted frame A, -which has a springpawlattached to it, asvseen at e, bywhich the ratchet and dial-plate areoperated.

E E are arms, attached to the frame A, by which the instrument issecured to the counter.

F is a spring, which bears against the ratchet, to keep the dial-platein place.

G is a fixed starting-point on the frame A.

The top of the frame is marked off so as to indicate one yard, andfractions of a yard, the yard-measure being at a point where the pawl ewill act upon the ratchet and turn the dial-plate one tooth, so as toindicate one gure'on the plate.

The figures on the plate pass under the index-finger h, and run from oneyard upward, so that every measurement of a yard or more is indicated onthe plate.

J is a piece attached to the slide D, by which the slide is toperated,and projects up from the fraxneas seen in the drawing. l

The slide is drawn back by a weight. K, whichv is connected with theslide by a cord, m.

The weight is confinedin a hollow pendent tube, N, attached to theframe, as seen in the drawing.

Having thus described my invention,

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is-

l.v The frame A, the slide D, the dial-plate B, and the ratchet-Wheel C,constructed, combined, and operating substantially as described, foi-thepurposes set forth.

2. The Weight K', arranged to operate in connection with the frame A,slide D, dial-plate B, and ratchet Wheel O, as herein described, for thepurpose specified.

The above specification of my invention signed by me, this 22d day ofJanuary, 1868.

THOMAS B'IsBrNe.

' Witnesses:

L. 0, AOKERMANE, M. Y. SORBER.

